Team Building: When and Where to Schedule it

I’ve addressed the issue of scheduling before in terms of companies selecting timeframes that are much too short to achieve results. This doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. I’ve only briefly addressed the issue of selecting team building destinations and scheduling. This is such a common sense issue I almost seem silly addressing it. I almost called this post:

Team Building Destinations and Activities: What are companies Thinking?

but decided that would be too obnoxious.

I’ll cut to the chase. Based on what has been popping into my company’s inbox, it almost seems as if some companies are making selections when blind folded. How else can one explain requests for team building that includes:

dog sledding in downtown Toronto in mid-October
polo team building in Toronto in mid-January
abseiling in Oman in mid-May

Recent requests have included team building that includes:

desert team building in Dubai in May
outdoor team building in Oman in May
desert team building in Oman in July
an urban safari on foot for over 300 people in the busiest part of downtown Toronto where there is heavy construction and roads are blocked off

When and where to schedule team building requires a common sense approach. Then why does it almost seem as if some companies are putting on blindfolds, spinning the globe, pointing to a spot on it and then pointing to the calendar? By the time team building companies are contacted for quotes, dates and hotel contracts have been locked in and the preferred programme can’t be delivered. Here are some guidelines to prevent disconnect between season, place and team building selection.

What are people thinking? Clearly they aren’t thinking?

I am not going to be-labour the point but just suggest that, when companies are planning a conference or meeting that involves team building, it would be a good idea to contact prospective suppliers and obtain their input before locking you your location, hotel or dates.

Team Building Destination Quick Guide

Here are some general guidelines.

Winter Team Building

Dates: November to March (some years snow doesn’t fall until mid-December)
Locations: Canada, USA (Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Northern California)
Venue Tips: Stay near where the activity will take place, not at a downtown hotel

Desert Team Building [USA]

Dates: Mid-October to mid-April
Locations: Dubai, Oman, Jordan (possible in May), USA (Nevada, Arizona, Palm Springs)
Venue Tips: It is best to select a desert hotel. For Oman, allow extra time as it is a rugged country and it takes time to get around

Mountain Team Building

Dates: Mid-October to mid-April
Locations: Dubai, Oman (allow extra time for travel as it is a rugged country), Japan – year round, Malaysia (May will work)
Venue Tips: It is best to select a desert hotel. For Oman, allow extra time as it is a rugged country and it takes time to get around

Jungle or Rainforest Team Building

Locations: Caribbean & Cost Rica – All year Malaysia & Thailand – Avoid June to September due to extreme heat and the possibility of haze
Hotels: Stay at a beach hotel not in a downtown area

Beach Team Building [Caribbean]

Locations: Caribbean – All year, Dubai or Oman – Mid-October to mid April (Salalah Oman Khareef season is also suitable), Malaysia & Singapore – Avoid June to September due to extreme heat and the possibility of haze
Venue Tips: Stay at a beach hotel not in a downtown area

Urban Safaris and Scavenger Hunts

Locations: Toronto – All Year, Dubai or Oman (mid-October to Mid-April), Singapore or Malaysia (avoid June to September), Caribbean (all year but schedule for coolest times of the day during the summer)
Venue Tips: General tip – Avoid areas with construction. If your group is large avoid areas with heavy traffic and large crowds.
Toronto – Avoid areas around Union Station as there is major construction going on until 2015. If you select a hotel in that area, unless your group is small and can comfortably walk to St. Andrew or King Station, opt instead for cooking team building, Cash Flow Game or another indoor programme

Team Building Companies Can Do Anywhere…Any Time

If dates and locations aren’t flexible, you can do team building with the following components almost anywhere at any time.